Friday, December 06, 2002 1:06 AM

Hand Evaluation – Tactics ( Bidding Safety Plays )

PITBULLS:

Everybody that has played Bridge knows what a safety play is and why you make them in IMPS . The idea of a safety play is a preventative measure guarding against bad things happening to you . This is normally a bad suit break or entry consideration or equivalent . What is not so clear is that there are “safety plays” in bidding also . Usually with safety plays you ask yourself “what could go wrong ? “ & try to prevent it from happening . Safety plays in bidding are the same thing .

For example , you hold ♠xx ♥Qxx ♦QJ10xx ♣xxx which by all accounts is a miserable hand . Partner opens 1♥ , RHO doubles – do you bid 2♥ and why ? This is the classic bidding safety play . A simple raise of a major can be surprisingly pre-emptive . What could go wrong if you passed ? The opponents could 1) leap to 2NT or 3NT & partner does not lead a heart . 2) By bidding 2♥ you could hinder their jump to 2♠ so they might make an ambiguous 2♠ bid &d fail to reach their game . 3) By bidding 2♥ you jam them out of their 1NT bid 4) It could be your hand so passing gives them a lead director with 2♣ or 2♦ – that they might not be able to bid over 2♥ . Partner now goes down in 4♥ vul because they found the best lead 5) Your pass might discourage partner from competing with an intermediate hand so you lose a double partial swing 6) It could be your hand for a vul 4♥ game , you do not get there . 7) you jam them out of their natural 2NT bid ( it might be Lebensohl ) .

Change the hand to ♠Qxx ♥xxx ♦QJ10xx ♣xx , bidding 2♥ is now silly . You get partner off to a bad lead . You encourage partner to compete which you do not want to do .The honour in hearts makes all the difference because of lead considerations . Partner is allowed to make inferences on what you did not do . Bidding is the best way to get the suit lead . The most common bidding safety play is helping partner with her opening lead . No not let opportunities slip by !!

O.K. you have ♠Axx ♥QJ109xx ♦xx ♣xx , LHO opens 1NT & RHO bids 2♥ as a transfer . Do you double ? Yes , a lead directing double is another bidding safety play . If they get to 3NT you want partner to lead her K x or Ax of hearts . In a suit contract , the double does not demand a heart lead . If partner has a better natural lead she should make it instead . Doubling is usually for lead directing in NT contracts . Double Q bids , artificial bids , Blackwood responses anything that can help partner out with her lead. She will also take the negative inference that you did not double for a lead when you had the opportunity.

Lead directing doubles are a bidding safety play against very aggressive bidders. Most experts believe in lead directing doubles for both NT contracts and suit contracts. Lead directing doubles just follow one simple rule. The double negates the obvious lead . This begs the question “what is the obvious lead” . When partner opens or overcalls the obvious lead is her suit. There is one exception to this rule , that’s in a NT contract & you have not bid. The double re-enforces lead my suit. If partner has bid in the auction , the double demands partner’s suit be led instead .

Bidding safety plays are also disturbing their auctions. By not giving the opponents a “free ride” , they might miss their optimum spot. Pre-emption , overcalling or otherwise getting into the auction as quickly as possible takes away their bidding room. Take advantage of the fact that partner is a passed hand or that you are on the terrorist vulnerability. Playing the vulnerability or otherwise making tactical bids are bidding safety plays.

The principle of concealment is a bidding safety play. Hide your distribution from your opponents , if your side has only game in mind. Do not assist them in making the best opening leads by making a splinter with a weak hand. Go directly to game & do not pass go. Let them lead blind.

Taking out insurance is a bidding safety play. When you are not too sure who owns the auction , it makes more sense to bid one more. They could make the wrong decision. It is like playing against the house in Blackjack. Let them make the decision to break or not.

Forcing pass & D.S.I.P. competitve double theory are bidding safety plays. Two heads are better than one. Allowing partners input into the final decision is much better than single handed action. Penalty doubles are playing with fire , so having partners input is highly desirable.

Having quick tricks for your opening bids are bidding safety plays. Do not open just “to make the opponents guess”. Partner can rely on your openers for these values so these controls assist with her bidding decisions. 3^rd seat openers in a minor should be lead directing or else you are so strong they will probably not be on lead. Open 4 card majors in 3^rd seat for leads rather than a bad minor.

Bridge is a game of suits in an important bidding safety play. Bid your own hand with a good suit rather than hoping partner can fill in your suit for you. If you bid a poor suit , it is automatically 2 to 1 against you as there are 3 players left at the table to hold the rest of your suit & only one is your partner.

Showing defensive hands by doubling or bidding NT & showing offensive hands by bidding or Q bidding is an important bidding safety play. Painting a clear picture of your hand type will prevent a bidding disaster from occurring. Bidding safety plays are designed to prevent partner from going wrong. Bidding discipline & accuracy are the best bidding “safety plays” invented.